Stabilized vehicle suspension

摘要

An articulated frame log skidder having front and rear wheeled chassis separated by an oscillating suspension which allows the front chassis to rotate with respect to the rear chassis. The axis of rotation between the front and rear chassis is inclined upwardly toward the front of the skidder so that it passes above the center of gravity of the front chassis. Thus, as an excessive force exerted on a rear chassis winch lifts the front wheels above the vehicle-supporting surface, the front chassis remains in a stable condition with its center of gravity beneath the axis of rotation. A horizontal force applied to one of the wheels when the wheel strikes an obstruction is transformed by the inclined axis of rotation into a rotational moment about the axis which lifts the wheel over the obstruction.